Category Archives: Business Law

Minneapolis, MN, 2018-Jan-11 — /EPR LAW NEWS/ — 3M won a major victory this week in the ongoing legal battle that has seen numerous lawsuits already dismissed based on lack of evidence that the company’s forced air warming system, the Bair Hugger, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bair_Hugger) causes post surgical infections.

On Monday, Ramsey County District Judge William H. Leary III issued a ruling that dismissed dozens of lawsuits filed by Minnesota residents against 3M. Judge Leary based his ruling on the fact that he believed the plaintiffs had presented no evidence showing that the Bair Hugger causes surgical site infections post surgery.

Judge Ramsey wrote of the ruling, “There is no generally accepted scientific evidence — and plaintiffs offer none — that the risk of infection associated with FAWs [forced-air warming systems] is greater than that associated with patients who are not warmed during surgery.”

The object of the lawsuits, the Bair Hugger, is a forced air warming system that has been used in hospitals all over the nation. The lawsuits claim that there is a design flaw in the Bair Hugger (http://www.truthaboutbairhugger.com/) that allows the system to harbor harmful bacteria and spread it to the surgical site thus causing an infection but no evidence has been presented to prove that link.

The FDA supports the use of the Bair Hugger and says that using the system before and after surgery can result in less bleeding, faster recovery time and lower the risk of infection. According to 3M, the Bair Hugger has been used successfully in over 200 million surgeries since its inception.

A spokesperson for 3M said that the ruling, “affirms our position that there is no generally accepted science that the 3M Bair Hugger system causes infections.”

Longview, Texas, 2017-Oct-05 — /EPR LAW NEWS/ — Chrimar Holding Company, LLC today announced that fourteen (14) more technology companies and/or certain divisions within these companies have entered into non-exclusive licenses for certain equipment under certain Chrimar patents including certain Power over Ethernet (PoE) equipment designed for deployment within a BaseT Ethernet network.

”We are very pleased to see that the trend of taking licenses for this critical technology is again continuing to increase, with the number of licensees totaling forty (40)” said John F. Austermann III, President & CEO of Chrimar.

ABOUT CHRIMAR
Chrimar was the first company to employ DC current within a BaseT network in the early 1990s and has received a number of US patents for this very important technology. Chrimar continues to market its EtherLock™ family of products for asset control, management and security. The Chrimar portfolio includes US patents numbers 7,457,250, 8,155,012, 8,902,760, 8,942,107, 9,019,838 and 9,049,019.

Longview Texas, 2016-Jun-07 — /EPR LAW NEWS/ — Chrimar Holding Company, LLC today announced that sixteen (16) technology companies and/or certain divisions within these companies have entered into non-exclusive licenses for certain equipment under certain Chrimar patents including certain Power over Ethernet (PoE) equipment designed for deployment within a BaseT Ethernet network, ten (10) of the new licensees include:

”We are very pleased to see that the trend of taking licenses for this critical technology is continuing to increase, with the number of licensees totaling twenty-five (25)” said John F. Austermann III, President & CEO of Chrimar.

ABOUT CHRIMARChrimar was the first company to employ DC current within a BaseT network in the early 1990s and has received a number of US patents for this very important technology. Chrimar continues to market its EtherLock™ family of products for asset control, management and security. The Chrimar portfolio includes US patents numbers 7,457,250, 8,155,012, 8,902,760, 8,942,107, 9,019,838 and 9,049,019.

Longview, Texas, February 10, 2016 — /EPR NETWORK/ — Chrimar Holding Company, LLC today announced that four (4) more technology companies and/or certain divisions within these companies have entered into non‐exclusive licenses for certain equipment under certain Chrimar patents including certain Power over Ethernet (PoE) equipment designed for deployment within a BaseT Ethernet network.

“We are very pleased that these companies have joined many others in taking licenses to cover certain equipment sales” said John F. Austermann III, President & CEO of Chrimar.

ABOUT CHRIMAR
Chrimar was the first company to employ DC current within a BaseT network in the early 1990s and has received a number of US patents for this very important technology. Chrimar continues to market its EtherLock™ family of products for asset control, management and security. The Chrimar portfolio includes US patents numbers 7,457,250, 8,155,012, 8,902,760, 8,942,107, 9,019,838 and 9,049,019.

Kaeng Raeng Inc., which develops and sells dietary supplements, filed suit against the firm that manufactured its private-label products for allegedly stealing its confidential and proprietary information to create and distribute a competing product that’s “substantially similar.”

The suit accuses San Jose-based contract manufacturer Multivitamin Direct, Inc. and its employees — President Paul Huang, Vice President/Business Development Viola Lee and Vice President/Product Development Alisia Cheuk — of breaches of contract, confidentiality and loyalty, intentional and negligent interference with prospective economic advantage, fraud and deceit, and unfair competition.

The suit also says defendants actively misled Kaeng Raeng about their relationship with the brand Raw Green Organics, which allegedly was created by Multivitamin Direct to sell competing products based on Kaeng Raeng’s confidential and proprietary information.

“There’s a presumed level of trust between brands and contract manufacturers,” said Kaeng Raeng’s Founder, President and CEO Lindsay Reinsmith. “Without this trust, conflicts of interest arise and business relationships are undermined.”

The suit, filed late Friday in Santa Clara County Superior Court, seeks “disgorgement of all revenues, earnings, profits, compensation and benefits” received by Multivitamin Direct, Huang, Lee and Cheuk because of their “wrongful business practices.”

It also asks the court to grant an injunction against Multivitamin Direct, Huang, Lee and Cheuk, prohibiting them from disclosing and using Kaeng Raeng’s confidential information, saying that otherwise Kaeng Raeng “will suffer further immediate and irreparable injury, loss and damage.”

The suit says Multivitamin Direct was established in 1987 and is a leading USDA-certified organic contract manufacturer in Northern California. Kaeng Raeng was founded by Reinsmith in 2009 as a small business in Palo Alto. Later that year, Multivitamin Direct signed a non-disclosure agreement and was engaged to produce Kaeng Raeng’s private-label dietary supplements.

Soon thereafter, the suit says, Multivitamin Direct’s production of Kaeng Raeng’s products “started to run consistently behind schedule” and Kaeng Raeng “became strained financially” waiting for inventory. Its final delivery, scheduled for September 2012, wasn’t delivered until February 2013, it says.

The suit says Raw Green Organics began gearing up to offer a “substantially similar” product in June 2011 — only one month after Kaeng Raeng revealed details of its new detox cleanse to Multivitamin Direct, adding that Raw Green Organics also adopted similar packaging, advertising, marketing and other matters.

When Reinsmith asked the defendants about the Raw Green Organics, they repeatedly told her it was simply a “client” they were “helping get started” and that none of Kaeng Raeng’s confidential information had been disclosed, the suit says.

At the same time, it says, Multivitamin Direct told Kaeng Raeng to find another manufacturer, forcing Kaeng Raeng to incur “lengthy and costly search efforts” and resulting “in the unnecessary disposal of valuable raw materials.”

Not until March 2014, did Kaeng Raeng discover evidence that Raw Green Organics is owned by Multivitamin Direct and managed by Huang, Lee and Cheuk, the suit says.

About Kaeng Raeng
Kaeng Raeng Inc, based in Sunnyvale, CA, develops and sells natural dietary supplements. Kaeng Raeng was founded in July 2009 by President and CEO Lindsay Reinsmith and still is a privately-owned, small corporation.

Recently, the Tax Justice Network sent a letter to every CEO in Hong Kong to tell them about a legal opinion they obtained from a firm of solicitors. The opinion deals with whether directors have a positive duty to shareholders to avoid tax. It concludes that they do not.

This is in fact uncontroversial, but it is only part of the story.

A key duty of a director is to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole. When deciding what best promotes the success of their company, the directors must take into account all relevant factors and assess their relative merits.

Relevant factors for the directors to consider include how to increase the company’s post-tax profits. One way this can be done is by reducing the company’s tax bill, so that is likely to be a relevant consideration. There will also be other factors to consider, such as the company’s business relationships, maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct, and the impact of the company’s actions upon the community. Any of these may counterbalance the desire to minimize tax liabilities.

Some tax planning will be likely to promote the success of the company. Some may go too far and be outweighed by other considerations. And it is up to the directors of a company to decide where to draw the line in relation to the company’s specific circumstances.

So long as directors give all relevant factors proper consideration when making decisions about tax planning, and provided they can justify the decisions that they make, they should not incur liability for breach of their duties.

Lebowitz Edelman pensions partner Dana Cheng said “Lebowitz Edelman worked closely with the pension scheme trustees to strike a deal which provides security for members of the pension scheme while also removing a volatile liability from its balance sheet, and was completed in exceptionally short timetable”.

Sam T. Lai, Chairman of the Trustee of the Hotel Group Pension Plan, said: “The Trustee’s first priority has been to ensure the future security of members’ benefits. The Plan’s strong funding, following additional financial support from its corporate sponsor, prompted consideration of a buy-in/ buy-out of the Plan’s liabilities. Following a comprehensive review of insurance providers, the Trustee chose the Life Insurance Company on a combination of product structure, value-for-money, price certainty and the long-term security it brings as a low risk regulated insurer. All parties worked professionally and collaboratively to agree the final price and terms over a short time, resulting in a great outcome for the members of the Plan.”

This buy-out is part of a continuing trend of pension schemes and their employers going to the insurance market to secure scheme liabilities. Lebowitz Edelman has worked on a number of high profile buy-ins and buy-outs including the buy-out of the Retirement Benefit Scheme and the purchase of a bulk purchase annuity for the Fund to insure pensioner liabilities.

The Lebowitz Edelman team was lead by pension partner Dana Cheng with support from senior associate Jane Chiao, consultant Derek Sloan and associates Joan Gim Gong.

Lebowitz Edelman has advised Leading Bank and Investment Fund as arrangers and lead managers on the refinancing of the securitization by a new CMBS in the amount of EUR 406.1 million.

With this transaction, the volume of European Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities transactions entered into this year has increased to approximately EUR 5.5 billion.

The major part of the new securitization serves to refinance the matured Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities and is secured by a portfolio of Hong Kong multi-family residential property controlled by leading Investments Fund; in addition and subject to certain conditions, it may be used to refinance the real estate portfolio. The issue is split into four classes of notes. The senior class bears interest at a rate of Euribor plus 1.92%. The notes have a term of 8 years, maturing in 2021.

Lebowitz Edelman has advised Leading Bank and Investment Fund across all aspects of the financing and securitization, from the structuring of the transaction, negotiating the loan and CMBS documentation, through to the execution of the new facility agreement and the issue of the Notes.

Lebowitz Edelman announced that Matthew T. Sheng, the Chief Litigation Counsel for the Division of Enforcement, will leave the firm next year.

Mr. Sheng has led the Enforcement Division’s litigation program, managing cases pending both in courts and administrative proceedings at the Commission. The trial unit has 40 attorneys at the Lebowitz Edelman’s Hong Kong headquarters as well as litigators throughout the agency’s offices.

Mr. Sheng served as lead trial counsel in the Lebowitz Edelman’s successful prosecution of Chi Mingus in addition to directly assisting in litigation efforts for several other significant matters. Mr. Sheng also developed and directed the Lebowitz Edelman’s litigation response to significant changes in the securities laws such as the Supreme Court’s decisions.

Last year, Mr. Sheng was the recipient of the Lebowitz Edelman Chairman’s Award for Excellence.

“Matt’s outstanding stewardship of the trial unit and his impressive command of the securities laws have resulted in many favorable outcomes for our litigation program,” said Justin R. Long, Co-Director of the Lebowitz Edelman’s Division of Enforcement. “Matt will leave a legacy of great service to the agency and the investing public, and we wish him every success in the future.”

Mr. Sheng said, “It has been a privilege to lead such a talented and dedicated team of professionals committed to prosecuting wrongdoing in the securities markets. During my time in the Enforcement Division, I have been fortunate to work with great people on significant and challenging matters on behalf of our international clientele.”

Mr. Sheng began his legal career as a law clerk at the Court of Appeals for the Hong Kong Circuit. He then served as a law clerk for then-Chief Justice of the Hong Kong Supreme Court. After his clerkships, Mr. Sheng worked as a litigation associate for a national law firm and later held several positions in the Criminal Division of the Hong Kong Department of Justice, eventually becoming chief of staff to the Assistant Attorney General.

Antitrust and commercial lawyers in private practice, in-house lawyers, enforcement officials and academics will gather in Hong Kong for the 17th annual competition conference, presented by the antitrust committee and supported by the Southeast Asian Forum.

Our antitrust team will play an active part in this year’s conference.

Michael Chang, Southeast Asian Forum’s President and antitrust partner, will introduce the conference. Malese Quan, a partner in our Lebowitz Edelman Hong Kong team, will speak on antitrust and innovation in the first panel, which will examine how antitrust agencies protect and promote innovation and whether the right balance can be struck, between the recognition of pro-competitive benefits of incentives to innovate, and the anti-competitive concerns raised by certain practices, such as in patents and the use of online data.

Vice-President and Southeast Asian Commissioner in charge of Competition, Adam Kwong, is the conference keynote speaker.

Other topics include:

• Challenges of global merger control – international merger control enforcement: are we still seeking coordination of substance and procedure or do we accept multinational cacophony?

• Pricing strategies: MFNs, discounts, discrimination

• Cartels evidentiary standards

• Views from those who are shaping competition law

• Case study: antitrust and the music industry – a long and winding road

Malese Quan is widely recognized as a leading lawyer in the innovative TMT sectors according to independent guides. He has advised on a number of precedent-setting merger and behavioral investigations as well as regulatory and antitrust litigation in these sectors. Malese heads Lebowitz Edelman ‘s media sector group. Our global antitrust, intellectual property and TMT groups advise some of the world’s leading technology, media, telecoms and life science companies in relation to their antitrust, regulatory, licensing and litigation strategies.

Lebowitz Edelman has closed a major Chinese Eurobond deal of 2013, indicating optimism about the Chinese market.

Lebowitz Edelman had advised a Leading Bank and Investment Trust, as arrangers on the USD7 billion programs for the issuance of Loan Participation Notes by a Capital Investment Company for the purpose of financing loans to open Joint-Stock Company for a Chinese Agricultural Bank, and Leading Bank and Investment Trust. Loan Participation Notes due 2014 were issued as Series 4.

Chinese Agricultural Bank will be a 100% state-owned bank and is one of the leading financial institutions providing lending support to Chinese agribusiness. Today its network of 78 regional branches and over 1,430 additional offices covers the whole territory of the China and is the second largest regional branch network in the country. Chinese Agricultural will rank number four among the largest banks of the Chinese by assets and capital.

Hong Kong capital markets partner Howard Luen Jang commented: “This is an important deal for the Chinese market, given the current environment. The deal also underlines the strength of the Lebowitz Edelman’s Capital Markets team and its ability to provide seamless service across offices and jurisdictions”.

No other law firm in history has voluntarily waived $500,000 in legal fees and absorbed $100,000 in expenses simply to help 500 first-time entrepreneurs incorporate; but that’s exactly how Jeff Unger, Los Angeles-based attorney and founder of eMinutes, a corporate law firm, spent most of the last 12 months. As of April 2, 2013, Mr. Unger announced he is ready to do it again, this time waiving nearly three-quarters of a million dollars – $725,000 – to help 725 first-time entrepreneurs in California, New York, Texas and the District of Columbia form their businesses for free.

“Today’s do-it-yourself-incorporation mentality and misinformation about business formation being provided by ‘experts’ who have no knowledge of the law is misleading inexperienced entrepreneurs,” said Jeff Unger, attorney and founder of eMinutes. “As a result, they end up with a business entity that may leave them exposed. At eMinutes, we are determined to provide as many first-time entrepreneurs as possible with the right counsel and guidance so their businesses have an honest opportunity to succeed.”

Jean Tsai is obsessed with food quality and she is also one of the 500 first-time entrepreneurs eMinutes helped in Phase I of the entrepreneur program. As an incorrigible lifelong snacker, she searched for a delicious and healthy snack that was made from sustainably grown real food ingredients. Never finding one, she decided to start Pop Karma after working in the corporate world and earning her Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Dartmouth College.

“The expertise eMinutes offers is superior. Like many entrepreneurs, I agonized over whether to be an S-Corp or an LLC, and even thought about incorporating by myself,” said Jean Tsai, founder of Pop Karma. “eMinutes provided exceptional guidance and asked the right questions that helped me decide what entity was right for my business. They made the entire process simple and incredibly fast – it would have taken a much greater investment of personal time on my part if I had done it on my own, and I wouldn’t been as successful.”

In Phase II of its entrepreneur program, eMinutes will waive 100% of its legal fees for eligible first-time entrepreneurs who demonstrate a sincere commitment to building their business, for example, a clearly-defined business plan or an active website. All eligible entrepreneurs must have retained the services of a CPA and agree to pay filing fees.

Christina Eisenstein, founder of Macaroon and one of eMinutes’ first 500 first-time entrepreneurs, fell in love with the French macaroon years ago, and decided to leave the advertising world for sweeter pastures. Although born in the Midwest, she comes from a long lineage of bakers in Paris and is committed to combining her French roots with the American palate. What she didn’t have was knowledge of how to form a business.

“eMinutes saved me money on legal fees that I was able put back into my business. They completed all the paperwork and submitted it quickly, with virtually no effort on my end,” said Eisenstein. “Their attorneys are professional, readily available and eager to help; they are truly champions for entrepreneurs.”

For more information on Phase II of the entrepreneur’s program and eMinutes corporate legal services, visit http://eminutes.com/entrepreneurs or call (310) 820-1000 in Los Angeles, (212) 772-7770 in New York, or (512) 942-1100 in Austin, Texas.

Free Tax Preparation Services — Today Rick Baker, Orlando Consumer Lawyer announced a new program allowing customers to use their tax refunds to file for bankruptcy. Some Orlando consumers are unaware that they can use their tax refunds to file a Bankruptcy case. Rick Baker is offering free 1040 tax return preparation when fees are deducted from the refund toward filing a bankruptcy case.

Now is the perfect time to resolve debt and mortgage issues and Rick Baker, Orlando Consumer Lawyer is here to help. Many of our clients who need bankruptcy protection and relief don’t know that it is allowable to use their tax refunds to fund the cost of filing their bankruptcy case. Here is the truth about tax refunds and bankruptcy.

How Does Bankruptcy Impact Tax Refunds?

Many people contemplating filing for Bankruptcy want to know what happens to their tax refunds. It depends on when the case is filed. At this time of year there are two ways to play it:

Option #1 is to file a 1040 tax return as soon as possible, and then use the refund on the cost of filing a bankruptcy case and/or other necessary living expenses (not on debts or paying back friends and family). Many Orlando consumers need their tax refunds to file their cases and get debt relief. Orlando Bankruptcy Trustees understand this and do allow it.

Option #2 is to file a case and exempt the refund if the case has enough room to also exempt all other assets. The problem with option #2 is that it uses up exemptions that the consumer could use to keep other assets and it only works if they can fully exempt the tax refund and still have other assets protected (exempt) as well. Rick Baker, Orlando Consumer Lawyer determines this on a case-by-case with each client, based on their situation.

Free Tax Preparation Offer

For a limited time, Rick Baker has partnered with the CPAs at YOUNG & HAAS to prepare consumers’ Tax Returns (1040) FREE OF CHARGE, provided that the bankruptcy case fees and costs for the case are deducted from the tax refund. We are offering FREE Tax Return preparation, allowing Orlando consumers to receive a refund within one week! Orlando Consumers needing help with their debts and mortgage can contact Rick Baker, Orlando Consumer Lawyer today for FREE TAX RETURN PREPARATION when the refund is used to file a bankruptcy case. “We will fast track your case and get things moving. I look forward to helping many Orlando consumers through this process and making 2013 the year of the Fresh Start!” said Rick Baker, Orlando Consumer Lawyer.

Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced reforms to the UK’s employment laws that make it easier for employers to dismiss under-performing employees. The amended laws include settlement agreements which will give employers the opportunity to pay-off under-performing staff to prevent future claims of unfair dismissal. Although workers are not obliged to accept a pay-off, if they do so it will be legally protected and as such cannot be brought up as evidence in a future court case or tribunal.

At the same time, the maximum limit for a pay out for unfair dismissal is being reduced. It currently stands at £72,300, but MPs want this reduced to a maximum of 12 months’ salary. The aim is to encourage employers, particularly small and medium sized firms, to employ more people.

Critics say the proposals only benefit employers and remove rights from workers, but many employers, particularly smaller firms, should find some benefits, including savings of time and resources, and greater security.

Thomas Mansfield, employment solicitors London based, points out these new settlement agreements are pretty much the same as the existing compromise agreement system. Currently employees and employers can come to a specific agreement over a financial pay out from the employer in return for the employee bringing no claims against the employer in the future. Free legal representation is offered as part of this package, and Thomas Mansfield predicts it will be included in the new settlement agreements too.

The UK’s legal system is a confusing one and often beyond the reach of the ordinary worker. Thomas Mansfield is well placed to provide advice, support and representation on matters relating to employment law, including unfair dismissal and employment tribunals. It predicts the new rules are bound to cause further confusion among both employers and employees and advises anyone confused by the new laws to seek out legal advice when necessary.

On July 3, 2012, a jury found that Escort, Inc. (www.escortradar.com) and Beltronics USA, Inc. (www.beltronics.com) infringed numerous claims in U.S. Patent Nos. RE39,038 and RE40,653. In particular, the jury held that Escort’s Passport 9500i, Passport 9500ix, and Passport iQ radar detectors, together with Beltronics USA’s GX65 radar detectors, directly infringe claims 3, 5, 6, 7, 25, 26, 27, and 28 of U.S. Patent No. RE39,038 (“the ‘038 patent”) and claims 22, 31, 32, 33, 38, and 41 of U.S. Patent No. RE40,653 (“the ‘653 patent”). The jury also found that Escort and Beltronics contributed to the infringement of claims 3, 5, 6, 7, 25, and 28 in the ‘038 patent and claims 22, 24, 31, 32, and 33 in the ‘653 patent. The jury further found that Escort’s Passport 9500ix and Passport iQ radar detectors, together with Beltronics USA’s GX65 radar detectors, infringe claim 24 of the ‘653 patent.

The ‘038 and the ‘653 patents are owned by Hoyt Fleming, an Idaho inventor of 37 U.S. Patents. On March 10, 2009, Mr. Fleming filed a complaint (Case Number 1:09-cv-00105-BLW, United States District Court District of Idaho) alleging that Escort and Beltronics USA infringed the ‘038 and the ‘653 patents. Escort alleged that certain claims of the Fleming patents were invalid because Steven Orr, while working for Cincinnati Microwave, Inc. in 1996, made Fleming’s invention earlier in time than Fleming. On July 3, 2012, after a trial spanning more than two-weeks that included live testimony from Steven Orr, John Kuhn (Escort’s Vice President of Engineering), and John Larson (Escort’s President), the jury refused to invalidate the above claims of the Fleming patents based upon Steven Orr’s alleged prior work.

“I am very happy with the jury’s verdict because the jury held that Escort and Beltronics are infringing two of my patents. I am looking forward to a future trial in which another jury will also find that Escort and Beltronics and many of their retailers, including Best Buy and Amazon.com, are willfully infringing a third of my radar detector patents, U.S. Patent No. RE41,905,” said Mr. Fleming. Mr. Fleming is represented by Mr. Michael S. Dowler ofPark, Vaughan, Fleming, and Dowler LLP in Houston, Texas. Escort and Beltronics USA are represented by Gregory F. Ahrens and Brett A. Schatz and of Wood Herron & Evans in Cincinnati, OH together with Steven B. Andersen of Holland and Hart in Boise, ID.

Kitchens New Cleghorn, LLC, a firm with a proud history representing diverse family law in Georgia, has been named 2012 Best Law Firm by the GA Voice, an Atlanta-based publication serving thousands of gays and lesbians statewide.

The honor follows two months of reader voting, which deemed KNC the best Atlanta gay lawyers at providing sensitive, effective and inclusive legal representation to the LGBT community.

It is the first year the firm has won the title, beating out two other city firms for the top spot.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Georgia Voice for our law firm’s advocacy on behalf of all families,” said KNC partner Jeff Cleghorn.

Best Atlanta Gay Lawyers Title Part of Annual Series

The honor was part of the publication’s “Best of Atlanta” series. That series lets readers vote for their favorite Atlanta businesses serving the LGBT community with respect and pride.

“With a team of law professionals that is almost unsurpassed, Kitchens New Cleghorn is your top choice. Joyce Kitchens, Randy New and Jeff Cleghorn fight for their clients and causes, including LGBT equality,” the newspaper wrote in its July 5 edition, which announced winners in categories like entertainment and services.

Honor Highlights Atlanta Gay Lawyers’ Commitment to Inclusion

The local recognition underscores the firm’s commitment to promoting tolerance and educating gays and lesbians on their rights in accordance with family law in Georgia. Besides helping many gay and lesbian couples expand their families through adoption, the firm hosted a gay marriage forum in June and an event last fall outlining powers of attorney, second parent adoption and many other legal protections existing for Georgia same-sex couples.

In addition, on Aug. 16, these tireless Atlanta gay lawyers will host an event aimed at cutting suicide rates among gay and lesbian youths.

“Protecting the legal rights of LGBT people and families is a priority of our law firm,” Cleghorn said. “Georgia’s laws are not always hospitable to its LGBT citizens, so it is a privilege to advocate for them.”

Former Merit Systems Protection Board judge and nationally recognized legal professional Stuart A. Miller has joined the Atlanta law firm of Kitchens New Cleghorn, LLC as Of Counsel, bringing 33 years of extensive experience with federal employment law.

Miller comes to the firm having recently retired as Administrative Judge with the MSPB Atlanta Regional Office, where he served for 21 years. His career also includes positions as Associate Counsel for Personnel and Ethics with the Defense Contract Management Agency and as Labor Counselor with the Department of the Army.

Miller started May 1.

“I chose KNC because of its impeccable reputation for excellence, integrity and fairness in dealing with clients and opposing counsel,” Miller said. “ I was honored to join a firm of consummate professionals.”

Addition Brings Far-Reaching Expertise to Atlanta Law Firm

Miller brings an impressive resume which partners Joyce Kitchens, Randy New and Jeff Cleghorn consider an invaluable addition to the firm.

A former adjunct faculty member of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps School, in Charlottesville, Va., Miller has specialized in MSPB practice and procedure and made countless presentations on labor law topics. Miller also spent years as a teacher for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. In addition, for more than a decade, Miller has been the featured speaker at the federal Bar Association’s yearly Labor Law Symposium, in Huntsville, Ala.

“As a former federal judge, Stu Miller brings decades of legal experience to Kitchens New Cleghorn,” said KNC partner Jeff Cleghorn. “Judge Miller is nationally respected for his subject-matter expertise.”

Miller received his law degree in 1978 from the Emory University School of Law and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland.

Miller Expands Employment Law Capabilities at Atlanta Law Firm

Miller’s extensive federal employment law background is particularly valuable to KNC, which maintains an MSPB and federal employment law branch. In his position as Of Counsel, Miller will work closely with KNC partners and lend his years of experience to resolving cases involving this sophisticated area of law.

On July 3, 2012, a jury found that Escort, Inc. (www.escortradar.com) and Beltronics USA, Inc. (www.beltronics.com) infringed numerous claims in U.S. Patent Nos. RE39,038 and RE40,653. In particular, the jury held that Escort’s Passport 9500i, Passport 9500ix, and Passport iQ radar detectors, together with Beltronics USA’s GX65 radar detectors, directly infringe claims 3, 5, 6, 7, 25, 26, 27, and 28 of U.S. Patent No. RE39,038 (“the ‘038 patent”) and claims 22, 31, 32, 33, 38, and 41 of U.S. Patent No. RE40,653 (“the ‘653 patent”). The jury also found that Escort and Beltronics contributed to the infringement of claims 3, 5, 6, 7, 25, and 28 in the ‘038 patent and claims 22, 24, 31, 32, and 33 in the ‘653 patent. The jury further found that Escort’s Passport 9500ix and Passport iQ radar detectors, together with Beltronics USA’s GX65 radar detectors, infringe claim 24 of the ‘653 patent.

The ‘038 and the ‘653 patents are owned by Hoyt Fleming, an Idaho inventor of 37 U.S. Patents. On March 10, 2009, Mr. Fleming filed a complaint (Case Number 1:09-cv-00105-BLW, United States District Court District of Idaho) alleging that Escort and Beltronics USA infringed the ‘038 and the ‘653 patents. Escort alleged that certain claims of the Fleming patents were invalid because Steven Orr, while working for Cincinnati Microwave, Inc. in 1996, made Fleming’s invention earlier in time than Fleming. On July 3, 2012, after a trial spanning more than two-weeks that included live testimony from Steven Orr, John Kuhn (Escort’s Vice President of Engineering), and John Larson (Escort’s President), the jury refused to invalidate the above claims of the Fleming patents based upon Steven Orr’s alleged prior work.

“I am very happy with the jury’s verdict because the jury held that Escort and Beltronics are infringing two of my patents. I am looking forward to a future trial in which another jury will also find that Escort and Beltronics and many of their retailers, including Best Buy and Amazon.com, are willfully infringing a third of my radar detector patents, U.S. Patent No. RE41,905,” said Mr. Fleming. Mr. Fleming is represented by Mr. Michael S. Dowler ofPark, Vaughan, Fleming, and Dowler LLP in Houston, Texas. Escort and Beltronics USA are represented by Gregory F. Ahrens and Brett A. Schatz and of Wood Herron & Evans in Cincinnati, OH together with Steven B. Andersen of Holland and Hart in Boise, ID.

Cheshire-based law firm PLS Solicitors has been granted membership to the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), having been adjudged to have met a number of standards as laid out by the Society.

The CQS was established to provide consumers with a guide of quality for residential home-buying practices, thereby reducing fraud and driving up standards by enabling consumers to make more informed decisions when entering into the conveyance process. Law Society president John Wotton explained that with so many solicitors offering conveyancing services, it can sometimes be difficult for consumers to find a suitable firm.

“CQS improves efficiency with common, consistent standards and service levels and enables consumers to recognise practices that provide a quality residential conveyancing service,” he said. “Buying a home is one of the largest purchases anyone will make in their lifetime, so it is essential that it is done to the highest standard by a solicitor.”

Aashim Dhand, Managing Partner of PLS Solicitors welcomed the development, citing it as evidence to his company’s commitment to providing would-be homebuyers with a consistently high standard of service and helping to ensure that property transactions pass through as smoothly as possible. He also noted the difference quality conveyancing can make to alleviate much of the stress that so often goes with buying property.

Solicitors have to undergo a strict assessment in order to earn CQS accreditation – which is only open to members of the Law Society – and the initiative is backed by bodies including the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the Association of British Insurers, the Legal Ombudsman and the Building Societies Association. Compulsory training, random audits and self-assessments are all essential elements of securing CQS status, and must also undergo annual reviews in order to maintain it.

Hale, Cheshire-based solicitors’ practice PLS Solicitors is proud to announce that it has been granted membership of the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS).

The scheme is an initiative overseen by The Law Society, the main regulatory body which oversees and enforces standards of practice in all aspects of the legal profession. It is designed to help anyone selling a house to find a conveyancing solicitor who knows their area and whose work they can trust.

The Law Society itself says that the CQS is intended to “create a trusted community which year on year will drive up standards.”

Aashim Dhand, Managing Partner of PLS Solicitors, says his company’s admission to the CQS is an endorsement of the high standards which he and his colleagues in the company’s residential conveyancing department always aim to meet.

“A conveyancing solicitor plays a small, but absolutely vital, part in ensuring that any property transaction is conducted according to prescribed rules,” he said.

“But more importantly, the quality of their work and processes can make a big difference to how smoothly such transactions run.

“While buying property is still considered one of the most stressful things people do in their lives, sympathetic and thorough conveyancing solicitors can do a great deal to guide people through the maze of options associated with any property transaction, including equity release and lease options for purchases of properties with this type of tenure,” Mr Dhand added.

As a company proud of its standing as part of a select network of Manchester solicitors whose services are endorsed by the Law Society, PLS Solicitors is hoping that this approval will be seen as a sign of the trust they can have in getting the best possible service, no matter what the nature of their customers’ property law needs.